Excerpt from Lillian, or the Battle of Life

A tall and stately man approached. The bouquet was taken from its concealment and held up to his gaze Please buy, sir? Not even a pleasant word or glance rewarded her. Tears gathered in her eyes, but she wiped them away - young, yet learning the world's first and great lesson, concealment. Poor little Lillian, she could not imagine the unhappy domestic scene in the dwelling of that proud and wealthy aristo crat - once, he would have bought those truly beautiful ¿owers for his bride - now, she was only an unloved wife, brilliant in society and admired by others, but holding no place in his heart. A group of laughing school girls approached.

Oh! They all exclaimed what charming ¿owers! Come here, let us see them.

Obeying the mandate, she drew near. Bouquet after bouquet was examined, then thrown carelessly, even rudely, down, and Lillian dared not expostulate, hoping still that they would take one or all.

I will have this, said a tall, rude girl, with a wicked twinkle in her eye, and pay you to-morrow, sis!

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